WHEN a Bradford woman and her then-11-year-old son were racially abused on a train in 2018, they did not expect their story to be told.

But now, Vie Clerc and her son - who wanted to be identified only as KL - have inspired the novel In Little Stars, the latest book by Bingley author Linda Green.

The novel aims to start dialogue and raise awareness of racism, and how – Linda argued – it has increased and become more socially acceptable since Brexit.

“I think that, since then, more politicians and media outlets have been whipping it up,” said Linda, 53.

“Anti-immigrant rhetoric has increased – I think a lot had those views before, but Brexit has emboldened them and made them feel like it’s now acceptable to be racist.

“Through In Little Stars, I wanted to tell a human story and draw people’s attention to issues they may not otherwise think about.”

Linda knows Vie, who is a white French woman, personally – they are friends.

Only one person on the train came to the aid of her and KL, who is half Congolese, that day.

“Four men abusing you and your son on a train is horrific,” said Linda, who is originally from North London, but has lived in West Yorkshire for 21 years, and in Bingley for nine.

“It saddens me that this is the case in our country – it’s important we act as allies and call it out.”

At the time of the incident, Vie was working in a care home.

“She is someone who could have been looking after your elderly relative,” Linda, who has developed a flair for telling stories about social issues, added.

“My novel One Moment dealt with a woman on universal credit, caring for her younger brother, who had schizophrenia.

“The Last Thing She Told Me was about rape and sexual abuse.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

“I don’t want to use a sledgehammer to send a political message – I just try to tell human stories, which hopefully reflect some of the issues going on here and open people’s eyes.

“If they can empathise with a character I’ve created, hopefully that empathy can expand to the people around them, who may be experiencing similar things in real life.”

In Little Stars is available in eBook and audio book format, while the hardback will be available at Waterstones and independent book shops from February 2.

Linda will launch the book at Waterstones in Leeds city centre on February 16, and says that everyone is welcome to come along.